1872. ] 
LARGE-FLOWERED PELARGONIUMS OF THE YEAR. 
281 
cuttings or by seeds, and is a good bedding plant, but will not stand frost. 
E. californica conies near to it, but the leaves are not so farinose, and are rather 
shorter, as is the stem ; otherwise they are very similar. E. laxa is another of 
the same set, differing from E. californica in the same direction, and in about the 
same degree, as from E. farinosa. 
E. nuda grows from six inches to two feet high, and has rotund, lurid green 
leaves. It is not hardy. E. rosea comes near this, but the leaves are narrower, 
and the plant branched. It is increased by cuttings. 
E. retusa and E. fnlgens , sometimes called retusa major , or elegans , or 
splendens , are near relations. They are very good winter flowerers ; if cuttings are 
planted in March they will grow on well in a cool frame, freely exposed during 
summer, and will flower from October to February, in succession. Loam and 
leaf-mould is the best soil for them. The)'- will increase from leaves freely 
enough. 
E. pulverulenta is a slow grower, having a stem an inch thick, and bearing 
leaves one inch to one inch and a half wide, and from four inches to six inches long, 
flat and recurved, and covered with a farinose powder. It can be increased from 
seeds only, as if the top is taken off a large plant, the old stem dies. Seedlings 
must be kept near the glass, or they will damp off. It is a very beautiful plant, 
but if set outside, the rain spoils it, and when in a house it must never be 
syringed. 
E. agavoides is a stemless plant, with very fleshy leaves. It does not throw 
offsets, but may be increased by means of the leaves, if they are taken off with 
care, and the thin base cut off clean. It is a very good plant for the centre of small 
circles, but will not withstand cold or rough usage. In winter it should be kept 
on a shelf perfectly dry. 
E. coccinea is a tall hirsute canaliculate-leaved species, with scarlet flowers. 
E. bracteosa is a much branched species, with lanceolate green leaves. It is 
nearly hardy, and will grow anyhow and anywhere. The first of these is a bad 
orower; and the second is indifferent in regard to its flowers.—J. Croucher, 
Hammersmith. 
LARGE-FLOWERED PELARGONIUMS OF THE YEAR. 
Y way of continuing the record of these flowers commenced at page 193, 
I have now to call attention to a batch of new varieties to be dis¬ 
tributed by Mr. J. Wiggins, gardener to W. Beck, Esq., Worton Cottage, 
Isleworth. The name of Beck has for so long a time been associated with 
the large-flowered Pelargonium, that the non-appearance of any new varieties 
from that quarter would be like snapping a link in a chain of old associations of 
a powerful character. I am always delighted with a look through the seedling 
Pelargonium house at Worton Cottage at the proper season. It is a square, span- 
roofed building, and it not only presents a gay picture, but a very interesting sight 
when the plants are in full bloom. A large number of them are seedlings passing 
